Abstract: A method for optimising an energy-absorbing strap includes the steps of: (1) producing a single metal sheet, including a first connecting portion, for connecting to one of a support bracket and a fixed part of a vehicle, and a second connecting portion, for connecting to the other of the support bracket and the fixed part of the vehicle; and (2) producing a weakening in the single metal sheet to separate the first connecting portion from a tearable portion; bending a portion of the single metal sheet to produce a bent portion that interconnects the second connecting portion and the tearable portion, the second portion being bent back around in relation to the tearable portion; wherein the steps are selected to produce a desired energy-absorbance profile.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor assembly, a B-pillar assembly, a seatbelt tensioning mechanism, a seatbelt pre-tensioning device and a support bracket. The B-pillar assembly is attached to the floor assembly and extends upwardly from the floor assembly. The seatbelt tensioning mechanism is supported to the floor assembly adjacent to an intersection between the floor assembly and the B-pillar. The seatbelt pre-tensioning device is positioned adjacent to the seatbelt tensioning device. The support bracket is fixed to the B-pillar and the seatbelt pre-tensioning device.

Abstract: A seat belt device includes a buckle provided on a side portion of a seat for a vehicle, and configured such that a tongue plate is inserted into the buckle; a buckle force limiter mechanism connected to the buckle via a connecting member having an elongate shape, the buckle force limiter mechanism being configured to allow the buckle to move in a pulling direction when a tensile load equal to or larger than a predetermined tensile load is applied to the buckle; and a case covering the connecting member from an inner side in a seat width direction, the case having a corner at an upper end portion of the case, the corner facing the connecting member, and the corner having an arc shape.

Abstract: A method for producing a high strength tube part is provided. The method includes the acts of: producing a sheet metal blank, producing a tube part by cold forming the sheet metal blank, and hardening the tube part at least in some sections to a high strength tube part.

Abstract: A buffer device has a plate, a moveable ring, and an elastic member. The plate has an insertion hole formed through the plate, a connecting portion, and a retaining hole. The connecting portion and the retaining hole are formed on the plate and are located above the insertion hole of the plate. The moveable ring is moveably mounted out of a front side of the plate and has a slot. The slot is formed through the moveable ring. The elastic member is connected with the connecting portion of the plate and the moveable ring. A top section of the elastic member is wound on the connecting portion of the plate. A bottom section of the elastic member is wound on a top section of the moveable ring and passes through the slot of the moveable ring.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a spool, a piston, a cylinder, a ring, and a valve. The spool is rotatably connected with a base by the piston and the cylinder. The piston is fixed to one of the base and the spool. The cylinder receives the piston and is fixed to the other of the base and the spool. The piston and the cylinder define a first chamber. The ring is sealed against the cylinder and defines a second chamber connected with the first chamber by an aperture. The valve is disposed across the aperture.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.

Abstract: A lap belt pretensioner for a lap belt configured to secure an occupant of a vehicle seat includes a pyrotechnic device. The pyrotechnic device is configured to generate a force directed to tension the lap belt around the occupant and emit an exhaust gas including particulates at high pressure and high temperature as a byproduct of the generated force. The lap belt pretensioner also includes a housing configured to retain the pyrotechnic device and defining an exhaust passage configured to expel the exhaust gas from the lap belt pretensioner. The lap belt pretensioner additionally includes a shield arranged over the exhaust passage and configured to collect and/or deflect the emitted particulates and dissipate heat energy thereof. A vehicle having the vehicle seat mounted to the vehicle structure and employing the seatbelt system is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for vehicle occupant safety during automotive collisions. The apparatus includes a plurality of compression elements rigidly fixed to a first seat belt guide and a second seat belt guide. The compression elements are arranged to resist compressive loading in response to an impact force, such as that experienced during rapid deceleration of a vehicle occupant in an automotive collision. When a pre-determined threshold force has been overcome, the compression elements predictably deform, thus absorbing energy associated with the deceleration. As a result of deformation of the compression elements, additional seat belt length is pulled from the apparatus, thus shielding the vehicle occupant from maximal injury.

Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt assembly includes a first member, a second member, a buckle mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The first member is configured to attach to one of a vehicle floor structure and a seat structure. The second member is supported on the first member. The second member is configured for limited sliding movement relative to the first member. The buckle mechanism is attached to the second member for movement therewith. The buckle mechanism has a latch device configured to releaseably retain a seatbelt latch tongue member. The clutch mechanism is disposed between the first member and the second member and is operable to switch between a dis-engaged state and an engaged state. In the dis-engaged state, the clutch mechanism allows movement of the second member relative to the first member. In the engaged state, the clutch mechanism prevents movement of the second member relative to the first member.

Abstract: A seat for a vehicle, including a seating part pivoting about a pivot connection, a pivot connection allowing the seating part to be lowered into a substantially horizontal position or lifted against a back rest, the lowering of the seating part being limited in the course thereof by at least one first abutment that can release the lowering following an impact, the being characterized in that the seating part includes at least two adjacent panels that can carry out a fold-back movement in relation to each other about an axis parallel to the pivot connection between the seating part and the back rest in such a way as to be able to bring the upper faces of the panels towards each other.

Abstract: In a buckle device, cord portions that are pulled out from a distal end portion in a longitudinal direction of a helical portion of a curl cord are electrically and mechanically connected to a terminal of a buckle switch of a buckle. The distal end portion in the longitudinal direction of the helical portion of the curl cord is held by a holding bracket that is provided at a first cover component of a buckle cover. Consequently, even when the buckle cover is moved, excellent connections can still be maintained between the cord portions of the curl cord and the terminal of the buckle switch of the buckle.

Abstract: An image is received from an image sensor including an occupant's head and a webbing. A center line of the occupant is determined. A webbing payout length is determined based on the center line. A safety device is adjusted based at least in part on the webbing payout length.

Abstract: A vehicular seat belt assembly can include a pair of lateral webbing strips configured to extend laterally across a first portion of vehicular passenger, distal ends being statically secured to the vehicular support structure, and proximal ends being selectively connected to and disconnected from each other. A pair of upper body strips can be configured to contact a second portion the passenger. An anchor can be statically secured to the vehicular support structure, and configured to guide each of the upper body strips so as to enable a change in a direction of extension of the upper body strips, and to thereby absorb a portion of a load created by the force applied to the passenger and applied to the upper body strips. A retractor assembly can be configured to enable length adjustment of the upper body strips if the load is below a certain threshold level.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant in frontal and oblique crashes. The occupant protection device operates an airbag and switches a load limiting restraint load of the seat belt between a first load limit value and a second lower load limit value. A switching unit switches the restraint load based upon the physique of the occupant, and lateral acceleration or movement of the occupant during an impact. The second load value is set for a small physique occupant. The load value is switched from the first to the second load value after a predetermined time if the lateral acceleration or occupant movement falls below predetermined levels. For a large physique occupant with lateral acceleration or movement exceeding predetermined levels, the load limiter does not switch to the second load value after the predetermined time.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle includes a support unit connectable with the chassis of the motor vehicle, a securement part disposed between the side jaws of the support unit, a setting unit disposed between the side jaws of the support unit; a counter-securement part connected with the setting unit; and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is operably engaged with the setting unit such that in the opened state of the clamping mechanism the setting unit is displaceable with respect to the support unit at least in a longitudinal direction of the steering column, and in the closed state of the clamping mechanism the setting unit is secured at a set position with respect to the support unit. In the event of a motor vehicle crash, the counter-securement part is shiftable with respect to the setting unit with the consumption of energy.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a belt shaft rotatably supported in a frame and two force-limiting devices acting in parallel. The first and the second part of the belt shaft axially overlap forming an annular space. The second force-limiting device is a band element abutting a radial outer wall of the annular space with a first section, and on the radial inner wall with a second section and is deflected in a deflection fitting between the first and the second sections (20, 21, 29, 30). During relative movement between the first and second parts, the band element can be unwound or wound up from the outer wall onto the inner wall or vice versa in an energy-dissipating manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a load limiter mounted within a cylindrical spool on which a webbing is wound to constrain a load applied to the webbing from exceeding a preset load, the load limiter including: a first torsion bar inserted into a hollow portion formed at a center of the spool and one end of which is coupled to one end of the spool; and a second torsion bar one end of which is connected to an opposite end of the first torsion bar to be inserted into the hollow portion of the spool together with the first torsion bar and an opposite end of which is coupled to a locker installed at an opposite end of the spool, wherein the torsion bar is configured such that a torsion load limit of the first torsion bar is smaller than a torsion load limit of the second torsion bar.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint system comprises a channel adapted to receive a seat belt, a first flange adapted to retain the seat belt formed on a first edge of the channel, a second flange adapted to retain the seat belt formed on a second edge of the channel opposite the first edge, and a pad connected to a bottom surface of the channel. The pad may have an internal compartment adapted to contain a pressurized fluid or may have a compressive element disposed therein. The pad may have a width between two-times and four-times a width of the seat belt. The supplemental restraint system may be deployed, both in a shoulder restraint segment of the seat belt and in a lap belt segment of the seat belt.

Abstract: A device that limits a load of a seat belt includes various elements. For example, the device includes a seat-belt webbing and a shoulder anchor to which a portion of the webbing is secured. A button is attached to the webbing at a position that is a distance away from the portion secured to the shoulder anchor. The button is able to engage a lever, when the webbing is pulled out, to control energy absorption of the seat belt.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a support for a seat belt to a vehicle, arranged so that when mounted to a vehicle it will move relative to the vehicle in a first range of directions under application of a first force urging the mounting structure in one of the range of directions, but will not move relative to the vehicle in a direction outside the first range of directions when a second, greater, force is applied urging the mounting structure in such a direction. The structure may have a bracket (7) secured to a vehicle by bolts (18) passing through slots (15) in the bracket, allowing the bracket to move generally in the direction of the slots, but not otherwise. De-couplers, in which toothed flanges (20) on collars (19) through which the bolts extend bear against raised pads on u-shaped washer structures (23) may be disposed between the bolt heads and the bracket to limit the force applied to the bracket and enable the applied force at which the bracket will move relative to the vehicle to be controlled.

Abstract: In a webbing winding device, a sub-torsion shaft is inserted from one side in the axial direction of a spool into the spool when assembling the sub-torsion shaft to the spool. Subsequently, by the sub-torsion shaft rotating in the winding direction, movement of the sub-torsion shaft with respect to the spool in the winding direction and in one side in the axial direction is inhibited. Subsequently, by a stopper being fitted from one side in the axial direction into insertion groove portions, movement of the sub-torsion shaft with respect to the spool in the pull out direction is inhibited. Accordingly, since the direction in which the sub-torsion shaft is assembled to the spool becomes only a direction parallel to the axial direction of the spool, the assembility of the sub-torsion shaft with respect to the spool may be improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to device for providing a safety for passengers and to devices, providing the passenger comfort. There are disclosed variants of load limiter accomplishment for a restraint a passenger in a vehicle, which have a possibility to hold the preliminarily given force. The invention concerns a multi-passenger modular array of tiered passenger supports, having a several levels, means for attaching the modules, locking devices, attaching the modules to the vehicle floor, a drive mechanism for seats in the module, a mechanism for protecting the head of passenger, which is positioned on the seat. The means for providing the passenger comfort head are characterized by the position of steps in the modules, providing a sufficient space for free positioning the legs of the passenger in the upper and lower modules and in the zone of passage between rows.

Abstract: A torsion bar capable of torsional deformation, a ring arranged at a shaft end portion of a spool and connected rotatably integrally with an outer peripheral portion on the other side in an axial direction of the torsion bar, a plastic-deformable plate member having one end side fixed to an outer peripheral portion of the ring and the other end side being a free end in the vicinity of an inner peripheral portion of the shaft end portion of the spool, and a projecting portion which projects from an inner peripheral surface of the spool, which is brought into contact with the other end of the plate member after the torsion bar starts rotating integrally with the spool and an impact absorbing load of the torsion bar becomes constant due to torsional deformation, and which imparts a load for plastically deforming the plate member in further rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle, which provides a more simple optimized mechanism to function as a load limiter having stable operation characteristics, and allows a reference load for releasing the webbing to vary depending on a change in collision speed, thereby providing increased protection to an occupant. More specifically, the safety device includes a roller, an electric generator, a magnetic force generator and a resistance generator. The roller comes in contact with a webbing and is configured to rotate with movement of the webbing. The electric generator generates electric current via the rotation of the roller, and the magnetic force generator generates a magnetic force via the electric current generated by the electric generator. The resistance force generator provides a resistance force to the rotation of the roller based on a shear force altered by the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator.

Abstract: A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint system comprises a channel adapted to receive a seat belt, a first flange adapted to retain the seat belt formed on a first edge of the channel, a second flange adapted to retain the seat belt formed on a second edge of the channel opposite the first edge, and a pad connected to a bottom surface of the channel. The pad may have an internal compartment adapted to contain a pressurized fluid or may have a compressive element disposed therein. The pad may have a width between two-times and four-times a width of the seat belt. The supplemental restraint system may be deployed, both in a shoulder restraint segment of the seat belt and in a lap belt segment of the seat belt.

Abstract: Presented herein is a restraint system comprising an attachment point configured to attach to a hatch opening of a vehicle, a harness having a seat and a strap attached to the attachment point and to the seat. The harness is configured to accept an occupant and support a portion of the occupant at a position below the hatch opening. The restraint system further comprises an energy absorption mechanism configured to dampen rapid acceleration or deceleration of the occupant. The strap is attached to the attachment point by a quick release mechanism. The energy absorption mechanism may comprise a retraction mechanism having a damper mechanism that is a spring, a coil spring, a viscous fluid, a fluid having a dynamically changeable viscosity or a magnetorheological fluid. The energy absorption mechanism may comprise tear-away sections configured to dampen vehicle motion energy.

Abstract: A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

Abstract: A method of downscaling the travel-time-function of a reference body of mass mt in a spring-mass system with a spring providing a spring force when the spring-mass system is exposed to an acceleration field with an acceleration which moves the reference body against the spring force according to the travel-time-function is provided. In this method, the downscaling is done by coupling the reference body of mass mt to additional masses mr which are kinematically linked together in such a way that they do not react to acceleration field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible belt tensioner (10) comprising a drive motor (12), a spindle (14) connected to the drive motor (12), a spindle nut (16) adapted to be displaced in axial direction (18) on the spindle (14), a catch (20) the one end of which is connected to the spindle nut (16) and a belt buckle (22) connected to the other end of the catch (20), wherein at least one of the following features prevents the spindle nut (16) from jamming during travel against block: a cylindrical guiding portion (50) inside the spindle nut (16) interacting with the outer geometry of the spindle (14); a freewheel mechanism (48) between the drive motor (12) and the spindle (14); a compression spring (70) between the belt buckle (22) and a stop.

Abstract: A method of vehicular safety management is disclosed in which a garment or like product is worn by an occupant of the vehicle. The garment includes crushable elements which absorb or dissipate energy on fracture from impact. An article of manufacture is disclosed which is worn by a vehicle occupant during travel and which incorporates component elements which fracture on impact and thereby dissipate collision energy.

Abstract: Seat belt systems and inflatable airbags can be used to mitigate the potential for injury to an occupant's neck. The seat belt systems provide for moderating the seat belt loads acting on the occupant to allow an improved synchronization of the occupant torso and head rebound timing, which in turn limits head and torso differential loading (frontal whiplash) and therefore occupant neck loads and neck, based on the position of the occupant, loads on the seatbelt, or a predetermined time in the crash event. Airbags are also provided with a sloped impact face. Additionally, airbags are also provided with a relatively flat top portion.

Abstract: A safety enhancement for a safety belt comprises an actuator housing mechanically coupled to a first end plate, a rotor blade, an orifice plate, a second end plate, a coil, and a spring cover by an actuator axel. The orifice plate comprises an orifice that allows hydraulic fluid to pass from a first side of the rotor blade to a second side of the rotor blade in order to increase or decrease tension on a safety belt to reduce user movement.

Abstract: A pretensioning device (10) for a safety belt, of a motor vehicle, having a gas generator (17), a piston (21) guided in a tube (16), which closes a pressure area (20) in the tube (16) that is pressurized by the gas generator (17) whereupon the piston (21) is able to move in a pretensioning movement which is able to be conveyed to the safety belt by means of an inertia body (19a) resting on a front face (9) of the piston (21). The piston (21) forms a pass-through opening (1) releasable upon exceeding of a predetermined pressure and a recess (26) is provided in the front face (9) with an inertia body (19a) resting thereon, so that a flow connection is created from the pass-through opening (1) to the area (25) located behind the piston (21) in the direction of the pretensioning movement (S).

Abstract: A seat belt connection device for a vehicle has a ring through which the seat belt can slide; the ring is supported by a member fixed to the front end of a stem, which extends along a substantially horizontal axis and is guided by a sleeve fixed in a hole of the pillar; the device also has a deformable structure that is fixed to the pillar and to one of the ends of the stem and is plastically deformable so as to allow the stem to retract in the event of an axial impact.

Abstract: A dilatant characteristic portion, that is structured to include a dilatant characteristic resin material, is provided at a portion of a webbing from a lap webbing portion to a portion that is further toward a shoulder webbing side than a through-hole of a tongue in a webbing applied state. When the webbing is pushed against an inner peripheral portion of the through-hole due to a body of a passenger pulling the webbing when a vehicle suddenly decelerates, the dilatant characteristic resin material hardens due to this load. Due thereto, flexure of the webbing when the webbing attempts to pass-through the through-hole and move is restricted, and therefore, the shoulder webbing passing-through the through-hole and moving toward a waist portion side of the passenger can be prevented or suppressed.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system comprising a seat belt webbing having a first end and a second end, the webbing configured to restrain the occupant; a member for anchoring the second end of the webbing; and an inflatable pretensioner having an inflator and an inflatable cushion that includes a first inflatable chamber and a second inflatable chamber, wherein the inflator is configured to inflate the first and second chambers of the cushion; wherein the first inflatable chamber is configured to deploy upon inflation to provide pretensioning of the webbing to restrain the secured occupant; wherein the second inflatable chamber is configured to deploy upon inflation to restrain the occupant.

Abstract: A load limiting anchor for seatbelt systems is provided. The anchor includes a pair of plates sandwiched together and connected by a rivet or other fastener. One of the plates features a key-hole shaped slot through which the rivet can move upon relative sliding motion between the plates causing material deformation as the anchor absorbs tensile exerted by the associated seatbelt system.

Abstract: A seat belt connection device for a vehicle has a ring through which the seat belt can slide; the ring is supported by a member fixed to the front end of a stem, which extends along a substantially horizontal axis and is guided by a sleeve fixed in a hole of the pillar; the device also has a deformable structure that is fixed to the pillar and to one of the ends of the stem and is plastically deformable so as to allow the stem to retract in the event of an axial impact.

Abstract: A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

Abstract: A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

Abstract: A system for electronically controlling seat belt load levels during an event includes a first and second compression member, and a seat belt webbing disposed between the first and second compression members. The first and second compression members may cooperate in a manner such that they may apply a selectively variable compression force to the seat belt webbing.

Abstract: A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

Abstract: A seatbelt device having a first energy absorbing member with two axial direction end portions attached respectively to a spindle and a lock member and which absorbs energy by undergoing twisting deformation when a load of at least a predetermined value acts on the spindle while the lock member is locked during an emergency. A second energy absorbing member is fixed to the spindle at one end portion and extends through a bend route provided in the lock member. The second energy absorbing member absorbs energy by being pulled through the bend route so as to undergo plastic deformation when the spindle rotates as a result of twisting of the first energy absorbing member. A deformation portion is interposed between a turned back portion of the second energy absorbing member and the spindle.

Abstract: An inflatable member is inflated by compressed gas that flows through the latch and hollow tubular tongue of a seat belt anchor. The inflatable member is retained in an uninflated condition in a split two layer belt. The latch is pivotally secured to a conduit that receives compressed inflation gas from a cylinder that is provided with a diffuser.

Abstract: Seatbelt systems for generating electrical energy. The seatbelt systems may include a first and second engagement units and an electrical energy generation unit. The first engagement unit may be configured to rotate upon movement of a portion of a seatbelt in contact therewith. The second engagement unit may include at least one portion configured to rotatably engage the first engagement unit and to rotate relative to movement of the first engagement unit in an engaged position. The electrical energy generation unit may be operably coupled to the second engagement unit and configured to generate electrical energy upon rotation of the second engagement unit. Vehicles including the seatbelt systems and methods for fabricating the seatbelt systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A buckle device for a motor vehicle is provided. The buckle device comprising a locking tongue for inserting into a buckle and a deflecting body connected to the locking tongue, which is configured to subdivide a safety belt into a shoulder portion and a lap portion and to deflect said safety belt such that the two portions extend away from the deflecting body in different directions. The deflecting body is connected to the locking tongue via at least one elongate element, which is at least partially wound around the deflecting body.

Abstract: An adaptive load limiting seat belt retractor particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The retractor provides multiple levels of load limiting through the use of a pair of internal torsion bar elements. The torsion bar elements control the tension force on the seat belt webbing during an impact in a manner which provides desirable crash management characteristics. The retractor can be switched between high and low load limiting modes through activation of a pyrotechnic pretensioner. When the pyrotechnic pretensioner is not activated, the retractor provides a low load level characteristic. Pretensioner activation switches the retractor into a high load level operating condition. A high load limiting level is provided when the pretensioner is not activated if the spindle rotation exceeds a limited level in the low load limiting condition.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for generating electrical energy. The seatbelt system includes a rewinding mechanism, an electrical generation mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a charging mechanism. A first rotational engagement unit of the rewinding mechanism is rotated by the movement of a seatbelt and in turn rotates a second rotational engagement unit. The rotation of the second rotational engagement unit causes the electrical generation mechanism to generate electrical energy. The charging mechanism may charge a battery with the generated electrical energy.